[The News Bot]

We've just been sent a few details on more programming highlights the BBC is preparing for its HD channel as we head into late spring. * The FA Cup Final, on 5th May, following a semi final in April. * Also in April there will be the US Masters golf tournament in...

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[Mike P.]

I believe I'm right in saying that the BBC's HD channel is only available to satellite viewers. Since we all pay our BBC TV Licence, even we pensioners, when will some consideration be given to Freeview customers with HD Digital TVs? We purchased our set some 18 months ago on the understanding that we would be "ready for HD when it arrives". No mention was made then of the fact that HD would be launched exclusivey for those who could afford satellite TV.

[Randell]

the other issue, even if BBC HD broadcasts were available on terrestial broadcasts, is that your Freeview box or inbuilt digital tuner isn't HD capable.

[colpurps]

Originally Posted by Mike P.

I believe I'm right in saying that the BBC's HD channel is only available to satellite viewers. Since we all pay our BBC TV Licence, even we pensioners, when will some consideration be given to Freeview customers with HD Digital TVs? We purchased our set some 18 months ago on the understanding that we would be "ready for HD when it arrives". No mention was made then of the fact that HD would be launched exclusivey for those who could afford satellite TV.

You are so right to moan Mike P. We have been sold up the river by this so-called government of ours, who are ruthlessly selling of the bandwidths to the highest bidders and the public-service broadcasters will not be able to afford to buy them, consequently you will never see HD as promised on the BBC except the odd one here and there. Satelite broadcasters will mop up all the channels. You will only be able to watch pap such as the commercials put out most of the time and what is more, you'll have to pay for it, HD or not. Now the gov. wants to sell the channels used for analogue presently, they just can't wait to cash in. If you are a pensioner, there is a chance you will remember the tales of the bomb-site car-selling spivs after the war? By golly, they've have nothing like the skills and cunning than this lot have. You have been warned. I am 76 this year, and I was looking forward to seeing the wild-life films in HD on digital TV on a suitable digibox. As they say, in your dreams!
Ray

[Jonstone]

Originally Posted by colpurps

You are so right to moan Mike P. We have been sold up the river by this so-called government of ours, who are ruthlessly selling of the bandwidths to the highest bidders and the public-service broadcasters will not be able to afford to buy them, consequently you will never see HD as promised on the BBC except the odd one here and there. Satelite broadcasters will mop up all the channels. You will only be able to watch pap such as the commercials put out most of the time and what is more, you'll have to pay for it, HD or not. Now the gov. wants to sell the channels used for analogue presently, they just can't wait to cash in. If you are a pensioner, there is a chance you will remember the tales of the bomb-site car-selling spivs after the war? By golly, they've have nothing like the skills and cunning than this lot have. You have been warned. I am 76 this year, and I was looking forward to seeing the wild-life films in HD on digital TV on a suitable digibox. As they say, in your dreams!
Ray

It is more the case that people have been mislead when purchasing their 'hd-ready' televisions.

Even if bandwidth could be allocated for hd freeview it would be 2012 before that could happen and even then you would need new equipment to receive it.

The BBC hd trial channel and any future hd channels they may broadcast over satellite are free to air and only require the right equipment to receive with no subscription to any other service be that sky or anyone else.

So in real terms the only difference between BBC HD over satellite or any future service over freeview would be the need for the satellite dish itself as both systems would require a new set top box.

There are some people who cannot have a satellite dish for one reason or another, as there are people who cannot receive a strong enough signal over freeview to make hd viable.

The ideal would be to have both in place, a limited freeview hd service and a much more comprehensive service over satellite but this would have to be paid by someone and I am not sure an increase in the licence fee to cover this would be acceptable to the majority of viewers.

[TeeDoubleUDee]

Originally Posted by Jonstone

The BBC hd trial channel and any future hd channels they may broadcast over satellite are free to air and only require the right equipment to receive with no subscription to any other service be that sky or anyone else.

I stopped my Sky subscription several months ago but still have a dish outside with cable into my lounge. So what "right equipment" would I need to start watching "Free to Air" BBC HD broadcasts?

[andrew markwort]

I wouldn't feel too left out if I were you. I've got Sky HD and I've been underwhelmed by a high proportion of the programmes shown. Not from a technical viewpoint (though programmes converted into HD from conventional resolution aren't all that hot) but from the content. Too much sport for my personal taste, and a lot of repeats.

[ABC1]

TeeDoubleUDee one of these should do the job for you.

[TeeDoubleUDee]

Originally Posted by ABC1

TeeDoubleUDee one of these should do the job for you.

Thanks ABC1. This looks cool. I just wonder if 150 squid is worth it for one channel, especially, as I guess this is not 24/7 HD content.

I would need to move the dish which is not a big problem. So is there any other FTA HD providers on the same satellite?

I have a humax sat reciever with a motorised 80cm dish.

I have scanned several thousand channels via several different satelites and there are other HD free to air channels but not in English!

As for BBC HD most of the content is preview re-runs.
Wildlife and Football look fantatstic on my 43 Pioneer plasma on 108i

In summary, glad a took the plunge to invest in Humax and motorised dish as the picture quality is worth the lack of content.

Good Luck

[Fillumgeek]

The FA Cup Final, on 5th May

FA Cup final on the 13th May.

[ianmxyz]

I can record the BBC HD feed from freeview using a DVB card in a PC. The PC isn't powerful enough to process it live, but I can watch it after downscaling it to 720p for my 32" LCD. It's interesting as an academic exercise but the programming isn't really there, not enough to make me want to spend £150 on a box . . .

Incidentally, the big improvement is driving my Samsung LE32R74 from the PC rather than its own tuner, I guess it does a better job of scaling.

Don't forget that the BBC HD is only a test transmission and ends in June 2007.
IT IS NOT A SERVICE!

The year long trial is presumably a year because BSkyB would only contract for a minimum carrier period of a year. It is due to end in June.

The BBC Trust is currently considering a joint venture "Freesat", that does not require Government approval for SD services. With ITV, Channel 4 and Five. This might be a year or more away, because of Channel 4's contract with BSkyB.

But going beyond standard definition satellite services and broadcasting HD does require Government approval, and an Ofcom approval process.